Theo sucks in a breath to argue, and Nash raises his hand, silencing my dragon. “I didn’t say it was a bad thing. A little mystery in a world where the narrative and destiny are predetermined from birth is a seductive endeavor.”
“Hear that?” I tell Hart. “I’m a seductive endeavor.”
He rolls his eyes and folds his arms in a huff. “Fine, all in. Don’t expect me to pick up your hearts when she trips over fresh air and plunges to her death.”
Malachi’s smile gets wider, and he launches himself out of his chair and grabs me before swinging me around. My feet narrowly miss Hart’s head, and I’m sure his twin did that on purpose. I laugh as he makes me dizzy before he smacks a warm kiss on my lips and steals my breath. I tear my mouth away from his and grip his shoulders. “I need to take this at my pace,” I tell him, before catching the gaze of all the brothers.
Theo smirks.
“Always at your pace,” Nash says. “No one will pressure you into anything. If you don’t like where something is going, you say stop and everything stops.”
“That’s right, Daphne. We will treat you like a queen,” Malachi tells me.
“So what do you say, pretty mouse? Will you be ours?” Theo asks.
I nibble on my bottom lip. The realm frowns on this kind of relationship. No matter how consensual, we would be pariahs. But haven’t I been that all my life? Folks avoid the clumsy maiden with a penchant for causing disaster wherever she goes. At least this way, I won’t be alone and Gwyneth could hope for a future without her sister weighing her down. The Stirlings would protect me from even myself. “Okay.”
“Okay?” Malachi checks.
I suck in a breath and push away from him. “I have some conditions.”
“Here we go,” Hart mutters. “Jewels, gold, and crowns.”
I roll my eyes. “I don’t measure riches by the weight of the crown you carry, but by the laughter in your heart and love in your soul.”
Hart’s brows drop, and his lips press together. “What are your conditions?”
“I need help getting Gwyneth away from Charming. I also want to visit the damsel village and wherever they send the blind ugly sisters.”
“Why?” Nash asks.
“Each fairy tale has a hidden dark side. I wish to see it with my own eyes, bear witness to the atrocities The Hallowed are committing to remain in favor with the Idols.”
“You planning a revolt, Daphne?” Nash asks as his lips twitch.
I fold my arms. “The realm can’t go on ignoring the victims of the fairy tales so they can continue living in pretty castles and dancing in lavish gowns.”
“You don’t have a plan?” Malachi correctly concludes.
I shake my head. “No.”
“If we are visiting the villages, we may as well begin our journey sooner. We can find lodgings at sundown,” Theo decides.
I glance down at my nightgown and twist my lips to the side. “Don’t suppose you brought a spare gown suitable for travel?”
Malachi picks up a satchel I hadn't noticed earlier, unclips the buckle, and pulls a navy blouse and matching breeches from it. "You might need to clean up first," he says, passing them to me.
My eyes flick to the hole where the icy water awaits. Ugh, no. “Too cold.”
Theo rises and grabs my hand, pulling me towards the pool. “Come on, pretty mouse, time to clean off the diurnal’s activities. As much as I want to spend my time rolling around with you on my furs, you have a maiden to save and a revolt to plan.”
“Don’t joke about that kind of thing,” I whisper. “The Idols will hear you. They don’t pay any attention to me, but you are all shiny and blessed.”
He chuckles as he rubs his chin. “The Idols couldn’t give a shit what we are doing. As long as we continue to feed their stories and power the myths, they leave us alone.”
I dip my toe in the water and squeak like the pretty mouse he’s named me. “There’s no way in Blazes I am getting in there.”
He pushes a stone over the hole from where the fresh water continually streams from, blocking off most of it. He drops to his knees and sinks his hands into the water.Yup, it’s cold and you are a hero for tolerating it. Good for you. I’m still not getting in there.
